Tracer Talk

With the rapid pace of new security solutions coming to market, resellers are continually being bombarded with solicitations to take on new lines and resources. Just researching their viability can be a daunting task, as there are only so many hours in a day to service existing customers and look for new ones.

So what makes gunshot detection technology different?

Let me sum it up in a few words: High user demand, ease of entry, and high profitability with potential new sources of Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR).

Let’s start with user demand. Active shooter incidents are on the rise. It’s an unfortunate reality that virtually every private and public organization, school and business is faced with every day. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, there were 50 active shooter incidents in the US, with numbers yet to be officially tallied for 2018. That may not seem like a high number of occurrences, but the potential risks and fear active shooters impose on parents, employers and employees is real, and the potential threats are real regardless of where you live and work. With all of the discussions taking place on preventive measures, there doesn’t seem to be any immediate resolution on the horizon. Advanced gunshot solutions like our innovative Shot Tracer® provide an effective way to detect an active shooter as soon as possible, which minimizes casualties and save lives.

Shot Tracer features innovative, field-proven technology. It employs advanced sensors (not microphones) to detect gunshots, providing the most accurate, real-time gunshot detection solution available today. Shot Tracer also provides critical data such as the number of shots fired, along with the largest detection footprint per sensor available. This is a solution that users want and need, to ensure they have the most proactive measures available to detect and neutralize an active shooter.

However, the thought of embracing a new security solution is often a deterrent for security resellers. New solutions are often called “disrupters” for good reason. Training sales and installation personnel on the nuances of new solutions takes time, which translates into added costs. Without a clearly defined path to profits, adapting a new solution can quickly turn into a costly adventure.

This is not the case with Shot Tracer. Our technology is so advanced, it’s simple. Shot Tracer easily integrates with virtually any security, alarm, surveillance and access system via contact closure – or wirelessly via IP integration. In fact, Shot Tracer gunshot detection sensors are as easy to install as a smoke detector, so there’s virtually no learning curve.

Additionally, Shot Tracer gunshot detection sensors are designed for independent operation, eliminating the need for expensive servers or call centers. In fact, Shot Tracer is the least expensive, high-performance gunshot detection solution available for resellers and users alike. Their extreme affordability and ease of implementation opens up a whole new conversation on how users can employ this life-saving technology.

Furthermore, security resellers earn 30-35% profit on every Shot Tracer gunshot detection sensor they install. Plus there’s the potential for new streams of RMR from compliance testing and certification, basic scheduled maintenance, and when sensors are implemented as an edge device on networked systems.

Click here to view one of our demonstration videos and see just how easy and accurate (and profitable) Shot Tracer gunshot solutions are. Contact us to learn how you can take advantage of our “Try one on us” promotion by emailing info@shottracer.com , or by visiting Shot Tracer at ISC West 2019 in booth 1092.

No one wants to think that their facility, office or school needs to think about an active shooter incident – until it’s too late. However, the reality is that there were 50 active shooter incidents in the US over the course of 2016 and 2017, with numbers yet to be officially tallied for 2018. Regardless of the latest total, this is a disturbing trend that has the general public on edge, as virtually all entertainment, workplace and school venues are threatened by this epidemic.

Although much debate continues on gun control measures and social education programs, there seems to be no immediate resolution on the horizon for this problem. Fortunately, there’s been much effort placed on applying advanced security technologies to provide more effective means of detecting an active shooter as soon as possible to minimize casualties and save lives. One such area of focus is on gunshot detection technology.

The concept of gunshot detection technology was first conceived prior to World War I, where it was developed for artillery sound ranging to estimate the distance and location of hostile weaponry. Then in the early 1990’s, gunshot technology using specially designed microphones was developed and deployed to help law enforcement officials investigate the numerous reports of gunfire they were receiving in Melo Park, CA. The experiment proved successful and set the stage for the development of more advanced gunshot detection systems.

In 2010, Tracer Technology Systems, Inc. created a new and innovative gunshot detection solution called Shot Tracer® that employs advanced sensors (not microphones) to detect gunshots. Shot Tracer’s unique approach to gunshot detection has continued to evolve, resulting in the most accurate, real-time gunshot detection solution available today. In addition to its superior gunshot detection capabilities, Shot Tracer also provides critical data such as the number of shots fired, along with the largest detection footprint per sensor available.

Equally significant is that Shot Tracer provides an easy path of implementation for users. It easily integrates with virtually any security, alarm, surveillance and access system via contact closure – or wirelessly via IP integration. Additionally, Shot Tracer gunshot detection sensors are designed for independent operation, thus eliminating the need for expensive servers or call centers, which dramatically lowers Total Cost of Ownership. In fact, Shot Tracer is the least expensive, high-performance gunshot detection solution available, opening up a whole new and different conversation with myriad security professionals on how they can employ this life-saving technology.

I invite you to watch one of our free demonstration videos by clicking here. I think you may like what you see and hear.

In recent years, an increase in gun violence and a growing desire to end the violence, without a solution, has led to negative public feelings regarding guns. Gun related crimes are more likely to occur in highly populated areas, thus allowing the perpetrator the ability to cause as much damage as possible.

Interpointe Apartment Complex (IAC), located at the far west side of Billings could benefit from the implementation of Shot Tracer. Over 1,500 people currently reside in the sevenbuilding campus. IAC is less than five years old and considered to be a middle to upper class income apartment complex.

Over the past five years, crime rates have steadily risen in Billings; everything from aggravated assault to larceny. From 2015 to 2016, Time magazine reports that gun related crimes have risen by 4,000 incidents, to a total of 38,000 incidents nationally, in 2016 (Gun- Related Deaths in America Keep Going Up, n.d.).

All buildings on the IAC campus are restricted to resident access only. In theory, this security feature eliminates the possibility of unauthorized personnel within the buildings. This not only provides a sense of security for residents, but also decreases IAC’s insurance premiums. Shot Tracer Technologies gunshot detection sensors have the same effect on insurance premiums. The institutions where these sensors have been installed, have seen a 10-15% decrease in their monthly premiums. This decrease would allow IAC to break even with the cost of the system within two years of installation. After this two-year period, the decreased insurance premiums would allow IAC to increase its profit margins through the reduction in monthly premiums and consistent tenant rental fees.

An instant benefit for IAC, upon installation of a Shot Tracer system, is the ability to market their facilities as being safer for residents. If correctly marketed and explained, an increase in monthly rental premiums could be successfully implemented. Many residents would accept a $10 to $20 a month increase in rent knowing a proven detection system was in place.

Large venues and arenas can hold tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, of people attending events meant to bring positive experiences and memories. Professional sports facilities hold tens of thousands of fans that gather at sports games throughout each season. Large concert venues hosting popular musicians will attract as many fans as the venue can possibly hold. There are events held annually that are attended by millions of people and televised across the nation. ​In recent years, large venues hosting sizable crowds have become the targets for mass shootings. Whether it be a large single event or several smaller events on the same campus that draws the crowds, a shooting is extremely tragic and often difficult for the public to comprehend. Yet fans do not stop attending events out of fear of a potential active shooter situation.

The Shot Tracer gunshot detection system provides an added security measure should a shooting occur. Shot Tracer’s gunshot detection systems can alert law enforcement, emergency personnel, and medical facilities of an active shooter situation within seconds of a gunshot. This technology could save many lives when used in large venues and arenas. With Shot Tracer, law enforcement and security personnel would receive an alert with the information needed to end the shooting, thus leading to a faster reaction. Victims will receive medical help sooner because medical centers will have been notified and be prepared for the incoming wounded. Public safety is highly important and life is sacred. Shot Tracer eliminates the of wasting precious time resulting in lives saved.

​Security is a high priority in a corporate office environment. Often, corporate offices are spread out over different floors and/or buildings, much like a campus environment. Working in a campus setting can be difficult to maintain a high level of security, with multiple buildings housing employees of a single company. There are many precautions that can be taken to protect employees, but it can be more difficult to communicate if employees are spread throughout an extended area.

Restricting access can only do so much in preventing unauthorized parties from entering an area. Most corporate facilities have areas where the general public can enter without any special access. If an active shooter incident were to occur, there would need to be a way to inform key personnel that the safety of the campus has been compromised. Such notifications often initiate a campus lockdown or evacuation protocols.

Though Shot Tracer cannot prevent a shooting from taking place it is a critical tool in a crisis situation. Shot Tracer’s line of products are designed to notify key personnel immediately in the event of an active shooter. Rapid notification allows security personnel the much-needed time to secure the campus. The advanced technology provides near-instant alerts with time, location and number of shots. This information is put in the hands of building officials and law enforcement in order to eliminate the threat. Shot Tracer has available options for both indoor and outdoor sensors.

Time is critical in an active shooter event. Clear, accurate information is imperative to ensuring that everyone on the campus is safe. The provided information is also vital to law enforcement, shortening their response times and allowing them to better track the situation. Emergency personnel are better prepared when they receive accurate information so they are able to address the situation more effectively.

There may also be a situation where an employee is the culprit. This employee may have access to everywhere and everyone on campus. They may also have knowledge of existing safety protocols that employees would be directed to follow in an emergency. Shot Tracer is able to detect the movement of the shooter to notify those in danger. The devices could be placed in the various buildings throughout campus as well as outdoor space. The constant tracking and flow of information is available instantly to all users, regardless of location.

The reality of modern society is that active shooter situations or threats are not going away. Shot Tracer is not able to prevent an active shooter event, but provides the key tools which are critical for a timely response. Shot Tracer’s goal is to provide a cost-effective solution to help save lives when an active shooter event takes place. The technology provides instantaneous alerts with the time, location, and number of shots to law enforcement and surrounding medical facilities.

By providing this vital information to law enforcement and medical personnel/first responders, threats are eliminated quickly and as a result lives are saved.

Schools, churches, theaters, concert venues. These are all places that you should feel secure and safe. But as seen in recent tragic events in Las Vegas; Sutherland Springs, Texas; Aurora, Colorado; Newtown, Connecticut – that isn’t always the case.

No product can prevent these tragedies, but Shot Tracer® can help law enforcement and emergency services be alerted sooner to minimize the victim count.

Shot Tracer Eagle is a unique gunshot detection sensor. The Eagle can operate in three configurations:

Adapted to your existing alarm panel using contact closures without any additional hardware,

Standalone utilizing the Shot Tracer IP alert notification system over cellular, or

Added to your existing IP based alarm system using JSON or CID formatted data.

Other products require you to have their system first, then you can add their sensors. This means that Shot Tracer can be a single standalone sensor where nothing more than power is needed to operate. Other gunshot alert companies require you to buy their system and install their server hardware and software before adding any sensors. The Shot Tracer difference equates to monetary savings, increased reliability, no single points of failure and a much easier integration.

Do you want to try one of our sensors? All you need is the sensor – and you’re ready.

Start out the new year right with a security product that is markedly more affordable and easier to integrate than other products and keep your customers, friends and family safe.